Amtrak’s “plan” for expanded service is making the rounds and much attention is being given to the map, which is conveniently the only detail released. A closer look at the map reveals it is more like a compendium of existing advocacy efforts and preliminary conversations with states. To be sure, it is very welcome to […]
20.March, Hyannis MA – Massachusetts Coastal Railroad President and COO Christopher Podgurski announced two senior appointments: Eric Ciborowski returns as Vice President of Railroad Operations, after serving at the MBTA since 2014. Ciborowski brings over 18 Years of Railroad experience, with specific concentrations to Mechanical, Compliance, and Safety Training. Podgurski appreciates Ciborowski’s “no-nonsense approach [that] […]
DEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH. DISMISS THEM AT YOUR PERIL.
23.March, Washington, DC – Additional concerns have been filed pushing the STB to consider the CSX Application as a major transaction. In addition to the new filings, the State of Vermont has fired another volley in response to the CSX reply issued in the state’s initial comments. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO (IBEW) […]
Does Delayed New Orleans-Mobile Service Suggest Problems With Passenger Trains After CSX Takes Over Pan-Am?
After 5 years of discussions, Amtrak asked the Surface Transportation Board to Intervene with CSX and Norfolk Southern to force revived New Orleans – Mobile service to proceed. A 2017 letter to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Southern Rail Commission says that the actions of CSX “demonstrate what can only be understood as an […]
HOUSATONIC RAILROAD AND METRO-NORTH COMMUTER RAIL (MTA) BRING STB INTO BEACON LINE DISPOSAL ISSUE
Editor’s Note: This article covers two related filings under STB Docket AB_1311: MNCR’s 08.February filing, and HRRC’s 12.February response. To lend clarity to our reporting of these proceedings, we begin with some particulars of the property: Ownership and operation The line does not carry revenue passenger service, but connects MNCR’s three Hudson-east commuter lines: the Hudson […]
Final Work Expected Finished In a Year
09.December, Montpelier VT – Vermont Agency of Transportation Rail & Aviation Director Dan Delabruere updated the Vermont Rail Council on the extension of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen route to Burlington. The project remains on schedule and the train is expected to begin early in 2022. “We had some CoVid delays, contractor issues, but not that bad. […]
09.December, Montpelier VT – At a meeting with the Vermont Rail Council, Vermont Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn emphasized the state’s commitment to Amtrak service, despite the current CoVid suspension. Flynn reflected on the seriousness of the virus and the rapidity of its spread as justification for the suspension and as an indication that the train […]
PREVIOUS PLANS ADJUSTED BASED ON PUBLIC INPUT AND PERSISTENT LOW RIDERSHIP. CHANGES ARE IN EFFECT FOR FY2021 ONLY. FY2022 PROSPECTS WILL BE EVALUATED THIS COMING SPRING.
14.December, Boston MA {MBTA Press Release, lightly edited} – Today the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved a series of revised short-term service changes for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) that incorporate recent public input and additional analysis of ridership. These service changes help match service levels with current and near-term low ridership demand […]
VIA Rail Canada has announced that it has launched on 30 November, the second phase of its procurement process to modernize its maintenance centers in and Toronto in preparation for the arrival of its new Québec City-Windsor corridor fleet. Following the Request for qualifications, launched in January 2020, five companies have been selected to participate […]
BIPARTISAN PROPOSED $900 BILLION COVID RELIEF PACKAGE FLOATING IN SENATE; INCLUDES $1 BILLION FOR AMTRAK AND $15 BILLION FOR TRANSIT
The bill is far from a done deal, but does represent forward movement after many weeks of deadlock. The eight senators that are championing the compromise made clear that the bill was a short-term fix to provide emergency funding between now and March 31, 2021 and Democrats are talking of further covid relief measures once […]